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HazMat specialists set to roll out decontamination protocol to help civilians in a disaster

Sofia Boerma, wrapped in a rescue blanket, participates in a decontamination drill in White Rock, B.C., in August 2013. Canadian researchers have developed a new protocol to help civilians self-decontaminate during a chemical, biological or radiological incident. Photo: HANDOUT/JUSTICE INSTITUTE OF BC

Douglas Quan

Published: January 10, 2014 - 4:58 PM

Updated: January 12, 2014 - 2:08 PM

Canadian researchers have developed a new protocol for first responders to help civilians in the critical moments after a mass-casualty chemical, biological or radiological incident.

One of the challenges emergency workers have faced in the past is keeping people from panicking and fleeing the area — thus, potentially spreading the contamination — while waiting for hazardous materials teams to arrive.

The new protocol, the outcome of a four-year federally funded research project and being presented at a conference Monday in B.C., gives step-by-step instructions to police and fire personnel for maintaining order and helping civilians self-decontaminate using special kits before HazMat teams arrive.

Laurie Pearce, a disaster management specialist and research chair at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, said the protocol is applicable in a variety of scenarios, such as chlorine leaks at swimming pools, chemical leaks from truck spills or train derailments, mishandling of pesticides in agricultural settings and terrorist attacks.

Previous research has shown that people can find the decontamination process to be even more traumatizing than getting contaminated, Pearce said. They have to be stripped to their underwear and hosed down by firefighters and deal with HazMat specialists dressed in imposing suits and masks that resemble Darth Vader.

“What we’re on the eye for is decreasing trauma,” she said.

Under the protocol, first responders are instructed to tell people to stay calm and to not go to the hospital. Instead, they’re told to get into pairs and move 100 metres upwind from the contaminated site or “hot zone.”

Making sure to stay at least five metres from contaminated civilians, emergency workers toss cleaning kits to everyone. Police or fire fighters will walk people through a process of removing their clothes, wiping down their bodies and safely storing their personal items, such as cell phones, before moving to a warming shelter.

Not all decontamination kits are the same. Kits for women include sanitary napkins and mesh underwear. Kits for babies include soothers. Researchers also developed a “Decon Doll” action figure for children to prepare them for the arrival of HazMat team members.

The protocol was tested in a couple of simulation exercises last year — including one that depicted a terrorist gas attack — and will undergo further refinement at a two-day workshop beginning Monday involving national and international experts.

Pearce acknowledged that a few members of the HazMat response community have questioned the practicality of the protocol but she said most first responders she’s encountered have been supportive.

Martin Ernst, an assistant chief with West Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, said he believes the self-decontamination protocol is easy to follow and should be adopted across the country.

“Let’s mitigate their symptoms or prevent symptoms from occurring by dealing with it upfront. Those are compelling arguments to the self-decontamination kits,” he said.

“When it comes down to it, with the right information and a way to fix a problem, most people focus in. When you empower them to take matters into their own hands, they perform.”

Rene Bernklau, provincial coordinator for hazardous substance response with B.C. Emergency Health Services, said the self-decontamination protocol is especially helpful in rural communities where the wait for HazMat teams may be longer.

“This is buying us time to get the right resources there,” he said.

The $3.6 million research project was carried out in conjunction with Royal Roads University and funded by Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science and Health Canada.